Setting the stage for change

Transcription

1 Global Water Partnership Setting the stage for change Second informal survey by the GWP network giving the status of the 2005 WSSD target on national integrated water resources management and water efficiency plans February 2006

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3 INDEX Acronyms Preface Contents 1 Introduction The Survey Overall summary Regional summaries AFRICA.. 9 North Africa... 9 Central Africa.12 Eastern Africa 15 West Africa 19 Southern Africa ASIA & OCEANIA 30 China.. 30 Central Asia & Caucasus South Asia.. 34 Southeast Asia and Oceania EUROPE. 42 Central & Eastern Europe LATIN AMERICA Central America South America SMALL ISLAND STATES Pacific 54 Caribbean ANNEXES.59 Annex 1: Central concepts: the IWRM approach Annex 2: Paragraphs 25 & 26 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Annex 3: Survey of national IWRM policies, strategies and plans methodology, questionnaire and list of definitions Annex 4: Sources of Information i

4 Acronyms CSD CWP EU GWP IWRM MDG NGO PRSP RWP SOPAC TEC UN UNDP/GEF WE WFD WRMA WSP/WB Commission on Sustainable Development Country Water Partnership European Union Global Water Partnership Integrated Water Resources Management Millennium Development Goals Non-governmental Organization Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Regional Water Partnership South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission Technical Committee of the GWP United Nations United Nations Development Programme/Global Environment Facility Water Efficiency Water Framework Directive Water Resources Management Authority Water and Sanitation Programme (World Bank) ii

5 Preface Four years ago at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, world leaders from 193 countries committed themselves to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. It included a commitment that governments would prepare national IWRM and water efficiency plans by The survey looks at the progress in meeting this ambitious target. Preparing plans and strategies is, of course, just part of a process, hence our title: Setting the stage for change. The survey is in fact an assessment of the movement towards water management reform through IWRM plans. The survey shows that the need for better water management is now better understood and prominent in national thinking. While it shows a growing degree of seriousness about setting national strategies and plans, there are only occasional comments related to progress in actually implementing the elements of an IWRM approach. In this sense, the survey provides a stepping stone for more thorough assessment of the implementation of improved water resource management in the future. IWRM is a process that leads to improved planning, better governance and a balancing of social, environmental and economic goals and is not easily measured. The survey is based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative measures, and it has shown that more work is needed on how to monitor progress on achieving a more integrated approach to water resources management and development. In addition to monitoring progress on meeting the target, the survey should provide a yardstick for governments and donors to assess where and how to target their support to ensure that those countries presently not on track will be supported in the planning process and those who have responded to the target will get support in turning their plans into actions. The survey is informal and, like the first baseline survey published in 2004, it is based on information collected by the global network of the GWP that extends across the developing world. The survey information provided reflects the view of the stakeholders in the countries and is not the view of any one organisation or individual. Inevitably, given the nature of such qualitative assessment, some statements and analysis may be disputed or judged subjective. There will be other surveys and possibly differing views but the GWP offers this as an informal perception by the network that we hope will be received in the spirit it is given, as was the case with the previous survey. With the absence of any global governance entity for water, and fragmentation of responsibility across several UN entities, there must be collaboration in producing useful instruments and tools for implementing and monitoring progress. GWP is thus committed to work with other organizations to make sure a cohesive and comparable set of results can be determined. We submit this survey in the belief that such information is an important component in the effort to keep water high on the international political agenda, which is crucial to the achievement and sustainability of the MDGs. Emilio Gabbrielli Executive Secretary iii

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7 1 INTRODUCTION The global water crisis is a threat to economic development, to poverty reduction, to the environment, and to peace and security. This is why the United Nations Millennium Declaration confirms the key role of water in sustainable development, and why many of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are directly related to water. Sound water management is a means to improving the welfare of populations. Sustainable development policies must therefore address the need for equitable and sustainable management of water resources. Water should be used to achieve social and economic development goals in countries, while guaranteeing sustainable vital ecosystems for future generations to meet their water needs. This is the essence of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach 1. The only way to accomplish these vital goals is to manage better the balance between the existing resources and the demand, and to manage water quality. While water solutions are local, future water demands will not be met unless immediate measures of support are taken at a global scale. If long lasting solutions are to be found, a more holistic water governance and management paradigm is necessary. Traditional fragmented approaches historically have proved to be ineffective or even destructive. The IWRM approach to water resources management has been internationally recognized as an effective way of finding a long term solution to this critical situation. WSSD Plan of Implementation At the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), in Johannesburg, September 2002, it was confirmed that the principles of IWRM are fundamental to sustainable development. Consequently, and with the aim to stimulate the adoption of a more strategic and sustainable approach to water resources at a global scale, Article 25 of the WSSD Plan of Implementation, called on all countries to develop integrated water resources management and water efficiency plans by Heads of state and representatives of 193 countries signed up for the Plan of Implementation which obliges them to comply with this engagement. In the Plan of Implementation there was a recognition that some countries may need help to meet the target, and some donors responded and provided funds to facilitate the preparation of plans/strategies. The Millennium Development Goals Task Force has suggested that the language of the WSSD Plan of Implementation should be interpreted as calling for the initiation of a robust water resource management process 3, rather than simply the creation of traditional prescriptive Plan. It is of vital importance that the plan or strategy be a dynamic instrument which progressively identifies necessary future actions in water resources management, water infrastructure development, improved water efficiency and better water service provision. The Global Water Partnership (GWP) has responded to the WSSD call for action and committed itself to support developing countries in responding to it. GWP has published Catalyzing Change 4 and other guidance material for the preparation of strategies and plans as well as providing other forms of support, in particular, support to governments 1 See Annex 1 for further reference on IWRM. 2 See Annex 2 for paragraphs 25 & 26 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. 3 "Health, dignity and development, what will it take? page 148, Millennium Development Goals UN Task Force, Earthscan, Catalyzing Change: a Handbook for developing integrated water resources management and water efficiency strategies, GWP,

8 in their creation of IWRM strategies and plans. National governments have the responsibility for development of laws and amendments to policies and legislation, and for appropriate reforms in the institutional framework to ensure that institutional and management systems contain the elements of the IWRM approach. The IWRM plan/strategy should contain the actions that are needed to reform policies, legislation and financing frameworks, institutional roles and capacities, as well as enhanced management instruments required to deal with priority water resources issues. The links to other national plans and international processes are additional important components. 5 2 THE SURVEY In 2003, the GWP conducted an informal stakeholder baseline survey 6 on the status of water sector reform, which was intended to be an operational assessment of countries readiness to meet the 2005 WSSD action target. That report was submitted to the UN CSD 12 meeting in April The results of that survey showed that about 13% of all countries surveyed had made good progress towards a more integrated approach and were on track to meet the target, a further 47% had taken some steps in this direction and the remaining countries had hardly made any progress. This new survey was carried out by the GWP in November/December 2005 to assess the progress on the Johannesburg target and to report to the Fourth World Water Forum in Mexico. Clearly, countries around the world have reached vastly different stages towards developing national IWRM plans and strategies, which makes this survey useful as a guide to progress and also helps identify future work on critical needs and the needs for support to national initiatives to finalize and implement these plans and strategies. Scope of the survey The survey focuses on policies, laws, plans/strategies and other planning documents 7 prepared to date in 95 countries in order to assess if they have initiated new measures to strengthen water resource management and if they have included IWRM elements in their policy documents. The main purpose was to collect basic facts on this issue and also to give qualitative perceptions relating to the development of IWRM plans and strategies. The questionnaire was carefully designed to capture the status of IWRM policies, laws and plans, but not at this stage to assess what is actually being implemented. This will require a different type and much more extensive survey. This survey is to be considered a forerunner of a more comprehensive initiative on monitoring integrated water resources management that GWP and others aim to carry out with the World Water Assessment Programme during Time did not allow any pre-testing of the questionnaire and the lessons learned will provide valuable input to future monitoring. This would include examination of in-country processes and evaluate in more detail the quality of the planning documents. 5 Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Water Efficiency Plans by 2005 Why, What and How?, Torkil Jønch-Clausen, TEC Background Paper No 10, Global Water Partnership, Informal Baseline Stakeholder Survey, GWP, The survey focused on meeting the target but did not rely solely on the existence of a document titled IWRM Plan as this would be too simplistic. Rather, proxy measures were used to assess whether a process was in place including policies, laws and public documents (such as development plans). 2

9 The survey was conducted through the GWP network and builds on the active participation and assistance of the Regional Water Partnerships (RWP) and Country Water Partnerships (CWP) 8, where they are established, as well as partners such as SOPAC in the Pacific region. The survey is therefore limited in its coverage to countries where GWP has a reasonable presence through a RWP or a CWP or an alliance partner. The geographical scope consequently relates mainly to developing countries where GWP is more actively engaged and the need for change in water management is critical. There will of course be on-going IWRM processes in countries that are not included in the survey. Methodology & Presentation The RWPs and CWPs were asked to fill out a questionnaire and retrieve and submit the responses. In total 95 replies were received. The questionnaire used was divided into two parts; the first part contained factual questions related to water policies, water laws/codes, IWRM plans/strategies and cross-cutting public documents (see Annex 3) and the second part judgements on progress made. Within each country, several respondents were asked to liaise with each other and come up with a joint country response in order to obtain a consensus view. Respondents included academics, NGO and civil society groups, government officials from various ministries and at different levels of authority in an unofficial capacity and GWP staff in the region or country. Although the survey is informal and was carried out by stakeholders, it was done in close liaison with relevant government authorities wherever possible. The survey results are mainly presented in a qualitative way commensurate with this subject. The data collected was evaluated by a group of GWP staff with knowledge of the countries IWRM progress through their daily work. The assessments were cross-checked with the respondents or representatives of the RWP to clarify any doubts. With a few exceptions, such as late submissions, all information in this report has been verified at regional and/or country level before distribution. The report first gives an overall summary of the survey results. Subsequently, the results are presented by region and sub-regions, the latter based on the countries in the GWP regional water partnerships. In this section we present the individual country assessments based on policies, laws, plans/strategies and other public planning documents. To give an overview of progress in each country the assessment is divided into four parts: Establishing the vision; the ; Catalyzing change: IWRM plans/strategies; and. The report includes maps where countries are grouped in different shades to illustrate what stage they have reached in the process of developing IWRM plans. 8 The GWP comprises 14 regional water partnerships covering most of the developing world as well as over 50 country water partnerships. The partnerships comprise members from government, civil society and the private sector. 3

10 The groupings are as follows: Countries that have plans/strategies in place, or a process well underway, and that incorporate the main elements of an IWRM approach. Countries that are in the process of preparing national strategies or plans but require further work to live up to the requirements of an IWRM approach. Countries that have taken only initial steps in the process towards preparing national strategies or plans and have not yet fully embraced the requirements of an IWRM approach. Countries that have not submitted a survey reply, or been included in the survey. These groupings are based on the judgement of the respondents and assessors. They provide an indication of the present situation. As there are considerable political, social and cultural differences across the world these assessments should not be used as the basis for comparison between countries or regions. The spectrum within each category is wide-ranging and multifacetted, which is a fundamental fact to keep in mind when reading the report. Annexes are included on the IWRM approach, the text from the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (Paragraphs 25 and 26) and the survey questionnaire. The latter includes a list of terms used in the questionnaire and the report. Lessons from the Survey The survey questionnaire was deliberately kept simple to facilitate rapid response as well as to avoid excessive detail. This has resulted in some limitations, for example, in federal countries the survey did not access information on specific provinces or states that have responsibility for water rather than the federal government. The analysis shows different levels of understanding of the IWRM approach. Countries involved in water resources management reform for several years and/or involved in a programme of elaboration of an IWRM strategy or plan tend to be very prudent and self critical in the evaluation of what they have already accomplished. Countries not so deeply involved in the process or with limited practical knowledge tend to deduce that they have made considerable progress towards implementation of the IWRM elements, even though they may be far off the target and often limited to a few regulatory texts. The responses submitted also show that central concepts such as plan, strategy and policy, are interpreted in very different ways. In the future it will be important to refine the indicators and monitoring mechanisms and to determine the extent to which principles are in fact applied. Since our objective was to study the status of the WSSD target, we have not examined the documents in detail and there quality has not been assessed. This would be a useful task for future monitoring. Again, this survey assesses whether there is an improved governance framework in place that should enable better water management, it does not assess the extent to which that framework is applied or whether practical changes have been made. As we know from experience, good words do not always lead to good deeds. A country may thus appear to have met the target, but not yet taken any steps to implement the policies or plans. This is also a key issue for the follow up to this survey. 4

11 3 OVERALL SUMMARY The survey was carried out at the end of 2005 to determine what stage countries have reached in the IWRM planning process i.e. the degree to which they have met the WSSD target. The survey thus aims to provide an indication of the present status of the development of the IWRM plans/strategies in the countries surveyed. In total 95 responses were submitted. The scope of the survey is limited geographically and covers mainly the GWP constituency, therefore mainly developing countries. The survey focussed on parts of the governance system, with a specific focus on policies, laws and plans, to determine if they incorporate the IWRM approach and, where possible, to identify the main challenges they face in achieving better water resources management. Summary table (See legend on page 4) Total Number of countries Percentage 21% 53% 26% 100% The survey indicates that approximately 21% of the countries have plans/strategies in place or well underway and a further 53% have initiated a process for the formulation of an IWRM strategy/plan. Therefore, according to the definition provided by the MDG Task Force it can be concluded that about three-quarters of the countries surveyed have met the target of initiating a process for the development of national strategies/plans. In these countries the survey indicates that the IWRM approach appears to be well accepted as the way forward for better water resources management and use. The remaining 26% have made only limited progress and in many cases have expressed a wish to move forward but need support in this process. What does it all mean? IWRM is a process that covers a wide spectrum of activities that take place in sequence over time. Countries are at various points along this spectrum. Improving water resources management and the sustainable development of resources is not an absolute state but a continuing and dynamic process. The surveys of 2003 and 2005 are not directly comparable as they include different countries and used different questionnaires. However, they do indicate a trend with an increase from 60% to 74% in those countries that have taken steps towards better water resources management through the IWRM approach. The survey assesses whether a country has taken steps to meet the target set in Johannesburg. A country may have fully met the target (by having prepared a plan or strategy and relevant policies and laws etc) but may still be only at the beginning of establishing a truly integrated approach which takes many years. 5

12 In some cases the process was well advanced before the target was set, however, the preparation of a policy or plan has not led to change due to a lack of finance or human capacity. Policies and plans are the beginning of a process and without application will have no impact. The target has clearly triggered a response from countries and stakeholders and, given the short period since Johannesburg, progress has been made and many countries are likely to complete the preparation of plans within the next two years. The survey focussed on planning and assesses whether steps have been taken to establish an enabling environment. Further development of indicators and monitoring mechanisms is needed to assess the practical application of the IWRM approach. The main obstacles given are a lack of capacity and human resources, a lack of finance for both policy and plan formulation and the time needed to assimilate concepts and adapt them to specific national conditions. Also, governments and donors often search for an increasing level of perfection in policy formulation that becomes an end in itself or perhaps a means to avoid difficult practical decisions. Many countries started policy or legislative reform four or five years ago which is not yet finalized. Similarly, policies and laws are sometimes completed but there is no action plan or means for implementation. The Johannesburg target has clearly boosted the preparation of IWRM plans and there is an urgent need to capitalize on the interest it has generated with a focus on plan implementation to carry out the reforms needed now, rather than further refine policies. Urgent support is also needed to assist those countries that have not yet made progress in formulating their IWRM plans. 6

13 Overview by region (Based on the information provided by the respondents and the analysis of the questionnaire made by GWP staff) Region Total AFRICA North Africa Central Africa Eastern Africa West Africa Southern Africa Regional total ASIA & OCEANIA China Central Asia & Caucasus South Asia South East Asia and Oceania Regional total EUROPE Central & Eastern Europe Regional total LATIN AMERICA Central America South America Regional total SMALL ISLAND STATES Pacific Caribbean Regional total

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15 4 REGIONAL SUMMARIES 4.1 AFRICA North Africa Status IWRM & WE plans development process Countries that have plans/strategies in place, or a process well underway, and that incorporate the main elements of an IWRM approach. Countries that are in the process of preparing national strategies or plans but require further work to live up to the requirements of an IWRM approach. Countries that have taken only initial steps in the process towards preparing national strategies or plans and have not yet fully embraced the requirements of an IWRM approach. Countries that have not submitted a survey reply, or been included in the survey. NORTH AFRICA Algeria Egypt Algeria considers the National Plan for Water (2005) to be its water policy. The Plan includes some aspects of IWRM. The legal framework includes an obligation to prepare an IWRM Plan, and several laws and public documents refer to elements of the IWRM approach. Algeria has a new Water Law (2005) that obliges the state, as guardian of the public property of water, to follow water resources management principles such as participation of stakeholders and management at basin level. It encourages cost recovery and water use efficiency and includes polluter-pays principle. The water law is partly harmonized with legislation for other relevant sectors relating to the environment, land-use, agriculture and health. Algeria is preparing an Action Plan for implementing an IWRM framework. The Action Plan is expected to be finalized in The Ministry of Water Resources governs the water sector in Algeria. The Directorate of Studies and Hydraulic Schemes in the Ministry manages the water resources studies, hydraulic schemes and is responsible for the development of the IWRM Plan. Various departments and authorities with the Ministry of Water Resources are involved in implementing water regulations: the National Agency of Dams and Large Transmission Mains (ANBT), the Algeria Water Company (ADE) for the distribution of drinkable water, the National Office of Purification (ONA), the National Office of Irrigation and Drainage (ONID), and the National Agency of Hydraulic Resources (ANRH). The role for the involvement of the private sector is not taken into consideration in the National Plan for Water, but this is treated in the Water Law, together with the participation of stakeholders, and management at basin level. There is a need to raise awareness on IWRM among both political and professional actors. Challenges in Algeria s pursuit towards IWRM include a lack of human and institutional capacities within water-related organizations. The National Water Resources Plan (NWRP) was developed in The Plan has three main objectives: developing additional water resources, better use of existing water resources, and protecting the public health and environment. It clearly states and defines an IWRM approach. Several laws adopted between 1982 and 1994 relate to water. The Water Law (Law12/1982) of 1982 has been updated. The Water legislation is harmonized with legislations for sectors such as: the environment, land-use, agriculture and health. Egypt considers the National Water Resources Plan (NWRP) as a main pillar to achieve the MDGs. At the 9

16 same time they consider the Plan to correspond to an IWRM Plan. The NWRP was developed over a period of six years with extensive involvement of stakeholders. Several actions have already been included in polices and plans of various Ministries. The NWRP proposes an ambitious implementation schedule and the implementation framework is presently under preparation. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is responsible for the management of water resources and irrigation, and the Ministry of Housing is the responsible institution for drinking water and sanitation. However, the National Water Resources Plan relates also to the Ministries of Agriculture, Energy and Environment. The national body where cross-sectoral coordination takes place is the High Ministerial Committee (established 2005). The Egyptian Water Partnership serves as a platform for the interaction of stakeholders from Ministries related to water, NGOs and civil society. There are specific IWRM training activities taking place, such as: Shared Water Resources Management Diploma organised by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in coordination with Cairo University. Representatives from the Nile basin countries are involved in this training. Additionally there are training programs held at the Regional Center for Training and Water Studies. Libya Morocco Tunisia The National Strategy for Water Resources Management (1999) sets the platform for the Libyan water policy. It partly states the IWRM principles and includes the polluter pays principle. The legal framework includes an obligation to elaborate an IWRM Action Plan/Strategy. No information is available on the preparation of an IWRM Plan. The General Water Authority governs all water resources assessment and monitoring in the country, while the Secretariat of Agriculture and Animal Wealth is responsible for the development of irrigated agriculture and implementation of major projects. A special authority called: The Great Manmade River Water Utilization Authority is responsible for the use of agricultural purposes of the water transported from the desert to the coast. Currently, the country is organizing awareness campaigns to educate farmers on efficiency practices. Morocco has developed River Basin Action Plans (1997) which serves as a water policy. IWRM is explicitly stated but not further defined. The Water Law was published in 1995 and takes into account aspects of the IWRM approach. The water law is harmonized with several national legislations for other sectors. The legal framework includes an obligation to prepare an IWRM Plan. An IWRM Plan is being developed and is expected to be completed by Morocco is facing challenges in the planning process to develop IWRM plans and there is a need for capacity building and institutional support. The National Water Council is headed by the King and coordinates multi-sectoral water activities. The institution that has the overall responsibility for the sector is the Ministry of Territory Development, Water and Environment, which ensures sectoral coordination between these three major sectors. There are River Basin Action Plans. Full cost recovery is not practiced and the state subsidizes water services and funds them through the taxation system. The polluter pays principle has not been adopted. There is a need to build on awareness of IWRM, especially among civil society. The Long Term Strategy for the Water Sector was published in 2003 by the Ministry of Agriculture. It refers to the IWRM approach but does not define it. The Long Term Strategy for the Water Sector (2003) and the State of the Environment Report (2002) refers to the importance of developing an IWRM plan in order to reach the MDGs. The water legislation takes into account principles on: public hearings, participation of stakeholders, management by river basin and the polluter-pays principle. The water legislation is harmonized with several national laws related to the environment, land-use, agriculture and health. An IWRM plan is being prepared and is expected to be completed by The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources is leading the planning process. 10

17 The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources governs the water sector in Tunisia and is the national body responsible for cross-sectoral coordination at national level. The same Ministry is also responsible for river basin management. There is a need for capacity building within water-related institutions to meet the water challenges in Tunisia. CEDARE currently provides training on IWRM in the Arab region. The Long Term Strategy for the Water Sector does not specify the role of the private sector. 11

18 Central Africa Status IWRM & WE plans development process Countries that have plans/strategies in place, or a process well underway, and that incorporate the main elements of an IWRM approach. Countries that are in the process of preparing national strategies or plans but require further work to live up to the requirements of an IWRM approach. Countries that have taken only initial steps in the process towards preparing national strategies or plans and have not yet fully embraced the requirements of an IWRM approach. Countries that have not submitted a survey reply, or been included in the survey. CENTRAL AFRICA Cameroon Central African Republic A national water policy exists through the water law which was adopted in There is a strong political will for reaching the WSSD target and many activities have been developed during 2005 towards this end. A water law was adopted in 1998 which complements the law on the environment (1996). The principles of polluter and user pays and participation are not considered in the water law, but these issues are considered in the environment law. The country has started the preparation of an IWRM plan, with help from GWP, which should be finalized in The following four Ministries have a mandate for cross-sectoral water resources management: Energy and water, Environment, Public health, and Agriculture and rural development. In June 2005 a Country Water Partnership was created to help the government elaborate the IWRM plan and to ensure a good participation of stakeholders. This platform of stakeholders supports the government in the planning process for the IWRM plan. Additionally, there is an extensive capacity building project planned for The 1998 water law states that the government is responsible for water management but that they may decentralise part of this responsibility to local authorities. However, the concept of lowest appropriate level is not mentioned. There is a national water policy entitled Policy and National Strategy for Water and Sanitation Sectors from The water policy states that IWRM is the basis for water resources management. A water law was formally proposed in October The draft law includes the obligation to develop an IWRM plan and refers to the separation of responsibilities between use and management, decentralization of water management, participation of stakeholders and financial contribution of users. The Central African Republic has not yet started the IWRM planning process. Although there is no specific date for the initiation of such process, the government has initiated discussions which will serve as a tool to start the planning process. Although the country has been given initial support, additional financial support is needed to develop an IWRM plan. This could be finalized by 2007 at the earliest. The IWRM approach is absent in the various sectoral plans and programmes relevant to water. The newly adopted national water policy does not cover issues such as private sector participation and the polluter/user pays principles. The Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Resources, and the Ministry of Forestry and Environment have a mandate to develop cross sectoral management and to ensure stakeholder participation. There is no specific budget for IWRM but there is a budget head for the functioning of the Ministry, which could be used for IWRM related activities. However, these funds were not available in 2005 due to the difficult financial situation of the country. Immediate projects for 2006 include the creation of a platform for stakeholders and enhanced political awareness about the IWRM approach. 12

19 Democratic Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo Chad The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has a Water Supply and Sanitation Policy but no specific Water Resources Policy. The country has several national planning documents that address water issues: Document de Strategie pour la reduction de la pauvrete (Poverty Reduction Strategy); Roadmap to achieve MDGs that will be launched shortly with the assistance of WSP (Water and Sanitation Program)/World Bank; Directeur de Développement de l Agriculture en RD Congo (Agricultural Development Plan for DRC) (2000); Plan Directeur de l Energie (Energy Master plan); Plan National d action environnementale (National Plan for environmental actions) (1997); Plan National de development du secteur de l eau potable et de l assainissement à l horizon 2015 (1994); National Drinking Water and sanitation Master Plan ( ). The Economic Legislation-Water-Obligations (1953) presently constitutes DRC s law for water; however, a national water code has been drafted and is pending endorsement by Parliament. An IWRM Action Plan preparation process is on the agenda and required consultations have recently started. The government is implementing a project to reform the water sector with the support of the World Bank. The goal is to reorganize the water and sanitation sector, elaborate a national water policy and a law for the management of water resources. DRC has a drinking water strategy supported by CNAEA (Congo National Action Committee for Water and Sanitation) and the national water supply company (Regideso) under the Ministry of Energy. The new legislation will provide for a dialogue with stakeholders and their involvement. In addition it will provide for the separation of responsibilities for management and use of water. The Democratic Republic of Congo faces many challenges and would benefit from assistance to deal with issues such as: decentralisation, management at catchments level and users contributions towards water resources management and water efficiency. Increased political involvement, political will and awareness, would facilitate the necessary water sector reforms and the institutional changes required for a cross sectoral approach. By the end of 2004, a water policy was formally proposed by the Ministry of Water and Energy. The Ministry in charge of water resources is currently selecting a consulting firm that can help them to prepare a new national water policy. The IWRM principles are absent in the various official cross-cutting planning documents relevant to water. Congo has a water law from There is currently no IWRM plan/strategy in place in Congo. However, discussions on how to apply an IWRM approach have been initiated. The planning process will most likely start during 2006 and the WSSD target could be met by 2007 the earliest. However, there is a need for financial support. The Ministry of Water and Energy, the Ministry of Forestry and Environment and the Ministry of Planning, Regional Development and Economic Integration, all have a mandate for cross-sectoral water resources management and stakeholder participation. The legal framework covers the participation and empowerment of stakeholders, financial contribution by users, and management at river scale level, but does not take into account key issues such as the separation of use and management of water resources, information sharing on infrastructure, decentralisation, or the responsibility of the elaboration/maintenance of an IWRM plan. A platform for stakeholders is planned to be established during 2006, with the aim to assist the government with the development of an IWRM plan. External support is needed to assist Congo in understanding the IWRM approach and to strengthen political awareness. There is no national water policy as such, but the Water and Sanitation Master Plan ( ), published in 2003, is considered to serve as a water policy. The Water Master Plan thus combines the water policy and the strategies for implementation. These strategies guide sustainable development actions related to water resources and the provision of water. The plan states that IWRM is the base for water resources management but it does not further define the concept. With the exception of the National Development Strategy to achieve the MDGs, all other sectoral plans or national planning programmes do not address the IWRM approach. A water law was published in It includes the need for IWRM planning. There is no IWRM plan/strategy in place, but initial discussions to understand the IWRM approach began in A positive sign is the existing awareness that the political will and understanding on IWRM needs to be 13

20 enhanced. Additional financial support will be needed for the development an IWRM plan, which could be finalized in 2007 or The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources is the main authority responsible for cross-sectoral issues and ensuring stakeholder participation. A stakeholder platform is presently being created. The legislative framework covers the participation of stakeholders, the separation of responsibilities between use and management, management at basin scale and the financial contribution of users. The water law of 1999 does not mention the need for information sharing or the decentralisation of water management. In the Water and Sanitation Master Plan, the role of the private sector is specified in detail and the principles for polluter/user pays are included. 14

21 Eastern Africa Status IWRM & WE plans development process Countries that have plans/strategies in place, or a process well underway, and that incorporate the main elements of an IWRM approach. Countries that are in the process of preparing national strategies or plans but require further work to live up to the requirements of an IWRM approach. Countries that have taken only initial steps in the process towards preparing national strategies or plans and have not yet fully embraced the requirements of an IWRM approach. Countries that have not submitted a survey reply, or been included in the survey. EASTERN AFRICA Djibouti Burundi Eritrea Djibouti has a water policy framework paper ( ) in place, where the IWRM principles are taken into consideration. There is also a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (2004), where water management is covered. There are no specific water laws/water codes. There is no IWRM Action Plan or strategy in place. Djibouti has taken the first steps towards the creation of a more integrated way of dealing with water issues, but substantial support will be needed to advance the process. In the water policy framework paper, the role of private-sector participation is considered and it provides for the application of the polluter and user pays principles. Burundi has a national Water Action Plan from 1992, and is presently preparing a national water policy. Burundi has incorporated principles of water resources management in a limited number of official documents for cross-cutting sectors, including the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (2004), and the Agriculture Research Plan (serving both as action plan and master plan). There is a legal framework for water from 1992, which covers some aspects of IWRM including an obligation to elaborate an IWRM Plan/Strategy. There is currently no IWRM plan in place. Burundi has recently formed a national government after a long period of civil strife and political tension. The government agencies with a mandate for water resources management are: the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Local Government. The legal framework includes obligations for the exchange of information with the public, participation and empowerment of stakeholders, management at river basin scale, decentralization of management of water resources, financial contribution by the users, separation of responsibilities for management and use of water. There is a need to consider cross-sectoral linkages required for a successful IWRM approach. Eritrea has a draft water policy from The draft addresses IWRM but does not define it. The national water policy is expected to be completed in Sound water management principles are not mentioned in any of the official documents relating to cross-cutting water using sectors. There is a draft water law (2004) and a draft water and sanitation law (1997). Both are expected to be finalized in Eritrea started the process of preparing an IWRM plan in mid-2005, with help from GWP, and the plan is expected to be finalized by the end of

22 Eritrea is faced with the challenge of establishing institutions for good water governance. The following government agencies have a mandate for cross-sectoral water resources management: the Water Resources Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of National Development, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Justice. To advance in the planning process, the country needs support to deal with issues such as high population growth rates due to the number of returnees, scarce rainfall, and the dependency on agriculture where 80% of the population depend on subsistence farming and livestock breeding. Ethiopia Kenya The Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy was published in Water resources management principles are articulated in several national plans such as: the Sustainable Development Programme for Reduction of Poverty (2002 and 2005), the Agricultural Development led Industrial Strategy, the Power Strategy, the Conservation Strategy of Ethiopia National Environment Policy, and the National Water Sector Development Programme (2002). The Ethiopian Water Resources Management Proclamation of 2000 was followed by related regulations in Together they address IWRM principles and include obligations for their implementation. They were further reinforced by the Council of Minister Regulations in There is also a Water Resources Management Proclamation and Regulations (FDRE 197/2000) and Council of Ministers Regulation (No. 115/2005). Two documents comprise Ethiopia s IWRM plan: the Water Sector Development Strategy (2001) and the Water Resources Development Programme (2002). They have been approved at federal level of regional states and include an ambitious capacity building programme. The following units have a mandate for cross-sectoral water resources management and stakeholder participation: the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Environmental Protection Authority, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The Ministry of Water Resources is the agency responsible for the implementation of the IWRM plan although no specific arrangements have as yet been made. The federal system of government enables water management to take root from the provincial level, while the Ministry of Water Resources provides strategic guidance at national level. Ethiopia shares river basins with other countries and is a member of the Nile Basin Initiative, which is a regional partnership aiming at developing the water resources of the Nile. Transboundary issues remain a challenge where support is needed. The Ethiopian Water Resources Management policy defines IWRM and outlines a role for private sector involvement. Kenya s National Policy on Water Resources Management and Development was published in Although it does not specifically define IWRM, it addresses the main principles of the approach. The current National Water Strategy (2003) embarks on major sector reforms where the lead body is the recently established Water Resources Management Authority. Good water resources management principles are mentioned in the following official documents relevant to water: the National Poverty Eradication Plan (1999), the National Development Plan (1997), the Energy Policy (2002), and the National Environmental Action Plan (1994). The new 2002 Water Act was adopted in March 2003 and includes obligations for key elements of IWRM. Kenya has started the process of preparing an IWRM plan, with help from GWP and others, and the intention is to finalize it by end The water sector has undergone institutional reforms with the aim to creating a decentralized system comprising three different levels (National, Basin and Sub-basin). These reforms resulted in the establishment of the Water Resources Management Authority as the main responsible agency for implementation of crosssectoral water resources management. Its first priority is the finalization of the IWRM plan. The water law covers obligations for participation and empowerment of stakeholders, management at river basin scale, decentralization of management of water resources, and the separation of responsibilities for management and use of water resources. There is a programme for IWRM capacity building run by the Water Resources Management Authority. Government agencies with a mandate for cross-sectoral water resources management and stakeholder participation are: the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Local Government. Key challenges include horizontal integration and improving financial sustainability in the country. Kenya requires assistance for capacity building and help in prioritizing the required investments for proper sector development. In particular, the WRMA requires additional skilled 16

23 staff to be effective. There is a need to harmonize overlaps of regulatory and management functions which could be achieved through development of guidelines/regulations to back the existing laws. Rwanda Sudan Uganda Rwanda has a National Policy Paper on Water from Water resources management issues are covered in the following national planning documents relevant to water: the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (2002), the Rwanda Agriculture Strategy and Action Plan (2004), the National Environment Action Plan (1994), and the National Strategy and Plan of Action on Biodiversity (1997). There is a legal and institutional framework from Rwanda has not developed an IWRM plan or strategy. The National Policy Paper on Water states IWRM as the basic framework for water resources management in the country. It specifies the role of private-sector participation and provides for application of the polluter/user pays principles. The legal framework includes obligations for information sharing with the public, participation of stakeholders, management at river basin scale, decentralization of management of water resources, and the separation of responsibilities for management and use of water resources. It also states the obligation to elaborate an IWRM plan/strategy. The following agencies have a mandate for cross-sectoral water resources management and stakeholder participation: the Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forests, Water and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Local Government. Rwanda has made some progress but is still recovering from the difficulties experienced in the country during the last decade. Rwanda would benefit from assistance to raise the human and institutional capacity to effectively meet the 2005 WSSD target. An enhanced coordination among stakeholders is a key issue to consolidate nation building. The lack of human and institutional capacity is a severe constraint to improving water resources management. The Sudan Water Policy (2005) explicitly states and defines IWRM. Water resources management is treated in the Sudan National Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (food security, water supply and sanitation), and in national planning documents related to the National Development Strategy to achieve the MDGs, the Agricultural Mater Plan, the Energy Master Plan, and the National Environmental Action Plan. There is a Water Resources Law from There are also IWRM-related regulations that target use of pumps on the Nile, pollution control and irrigation. Sudan established an Integrated Water Resource Management plan in 1999, which was approved at Federal and State levels. The IWRM plan was prepared by the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Energy (Electricity) and the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The plan includes a financing strategy and monitoring tools. The Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources and Ministry of Agriculture are the agencies responsible for its implementation. It also includes a recurrent capacity building programme. The government realises the critical role water has in national security and has pledged to improve IWRM and equitable access to natural resources. The legal framework covers the role of private-sector participation to include investment, consulting firms and contractors. It also includes obligations for participation and empowerment of stakeholders, management at river basin scale, decentralization of management, and the separation of responsibilities for management and use of water resources. There is a recurrent capacity building programme run by the Training Directorate in the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, and by the Nile Basin Initiative. Under the Nile Basin Initiative and with peace in the south of the country there is a need to provide support to turn policies into practical application. There is general lack of institutional and human capacity and unfavourable working conditions that lead to human resource constraints. The National Water Policy was published in 1999 and includes IWRM principles. Water resources management is covered in the following official planning documents: the Plan for Eradication and Alleviation of Poverty (1997), the Plan for modernization of Agriculture (2001), the Energy Policy (2002) and the National Environment Action Plan (1995). Uganda s Water Statutes were published in They include most aspects of IWRM. There are regulations for both water resources and wastewater that relate to IWRM. 17